All Six Teens Charged With Inflicting Burns On Man

Tuesday, April 14 –Police yesterday charged all six male teenagers with unlawful and malicious wounding in relation to the burn wounds received by a man while asleep in a parking lot.

The teenagers, ranging in age from 12 to 16 years, were alleged to have thrown inflammable liquid on a man who was sleeping in the parking lot of the old Riteway Supermarket building in Pasea and set him on fire. The Department of Public Prosecution gave the go-ahead for charges to be laid yesterday.

In the incident, the victim received first, second and third degree burns to his right leg and foot before he was assisted by Riteway employees in extinguishing the flames. The incident reportedly took place close to midnight.

Detective Superintendent of Crime Alexis Charles shared his unease with the supervision provided to the six accused especially at that time of night.

“It is troubling enough that teens in this age range could conceive and then carry out such a deliberate, unprovoked attack on a member of their community. It is even more alarming that none of the parental or guidance supervisions, which would likely have preempted such an act, were in place even at these late hours. The time that this incident was reported is a dangerous time for a 12, 14 or even 16-year-old to be on the streets unsupervised and accounted for. The need for greater control and restraint by guardians is obvious,” he said.

All six were granted bail for their appearance at Youth Court on May 15. 2014.